After the end of POMW I, it was time for POMW II, which is divided into two parts, where part 1 consists of indoor shooting with 0.22 caliber on a 15m range and part 2 is outdoor shooting with both 0.22 caliber and 9mm on a 25m range.
We had reviewed the basic technique and the various safety procedures during POMW I and we now had to use that knowledge when shooting and handling real pistols. Although I had practiced dry training at home and felt reasonably comfortable with the handling, something happens to you when you get a real gun in your hand and you know that it can have fatal consequences if the safety procedures are not followed 110% and the handling becomes sloppy because you think you can remember it all and have to be smart in a hurry. Among other things, for that reason there was now zero tolerance for the slightest deviation or mishandling of safety - In the case of a small offense you could be "lucky" to get a very clear warning, but you only got that once and subsequent mistakes resulted in a DQ, i.e. . a warning with a clear explanation of why you got the warning and at the third DQ, the course was over and you could pack up and go home. Serious mistakes resulted in immediate expulsion from the course and the loss of the course fee – luckily there were none of those.
However, a number of DQ's were handed out, which was an expression that you meant it seriously and it contributed to the fact that you were completely present and 100% focused on what was said.
You gradually felt more familiar with the process and we had to start the shooting where we had to initially get to know the weapon and the aiming devices. After the first series of shots with the stock placed on the shooting sock, we found out how the aim was and subsequently had to be corrected so that the shots sat in the middle of the black field! It definitely didn't work out every time, but this was where our training in basic technique should come in handy and mean that we gradually hit the black field every time... One shot - one kill. And for me, it was probably in that phase that it dawned on me that you have to believe in the process and use the knowledge you have learned. I wear glasses and can't see the target as anything but a blurry black spot, but if you followed the process exactly as you were taught, the shot was in the middle (or very close) and if you could keep your focus it worked every time. Any deviation in the process or distraction from either one's thoughts, ego or outside influences had the immediate consequence of hitting the side of the black field. That realization can be directly transferred to karate, or indeed anything else you do - Be humble and believe in yourself and do your best based on what you have learned and the knowledge you have. Learn from your mistakes and correct, and what you do will succeed.
That principle was demonstrated by Kimu Sensei in the best way, when he himself had challenges with the incident light which affected his lenses, causing him to be unable to see the sights at all! The sights are of course a fairly essential component of a gun, but obviously not all-important if you are Kimu Sensei; He showed step by step how to adjust your aim onto the target by first placing the shots vertically and slowly towards the center and then horizontally towards the center and finally hitting the bulls-eye! You can only do that if you have a lot of experience, follow the process and know yourself 100%.
From the first time I heard about POMW, I thought what on earth does it have to do with karate. Shooting, I mean, is as simple as pulling the trigger and trying to hit the target - Anyone can figure that out.
But I also knew that when Kimu Sensei has chosen to design such a course, there is a deeper meaning to it and that is what made me curious. Shooting in itself I personally think is boring and I have a somewhat strained relationship with firearms, but it is the process behind the shooting and the essence behind the training that I am now beginning to see how it is connected with both the karate training and the general things we do in everyday life - if you perform them correctly, put your ego away, the outcome is most likely positive.
Precisely the word commons was used extensively during the POMW process; After all, most of what we do in everyday life consists of generalities, i.e. something we don't think about or attach a lot of importance to and therefore we may be more inclined to skip actions or let ourselves be influenced by our own ego or what others think or think which often makes it more complicated than it really is and the result is then.
If instead you believe in yourself and know yourself enough to put your ego away and not make the generalities unnecessarily complicated, then the results will come too.
The good thing about shooting is that you can see the result right after you shoot. If you can troubleshoot your shots and not least recognize your mistakes (especially the mental ones), then you can correct the mistake(s) and get better. The exact same approach can be used for karate training even though it is a much more complicated process to get the brain and body to perform an optimal technique. You are the only limitation if you want to accept that knowledge and learning and use it properly.
So far, the two POMW courses have been a great learning for me and given me self-insight and understanding in several areas. It has also been a mental challenge, but also a little thought-provoking that the POMW training could advance my self-knowledge more than I had actually expected.
At the same time, I have gained a knowledge of firearms which has partly meant that if you handle it with respect and remember that it is the person behind the weapon who determines how dangerous it will be and partly that I can now take apart, clean and assemble a gun, then my relationship is for firearms a little less strained.
As an added bonus, it has also been super nice to be with your training mates in a completely different way than in the dojo and the atmosphere has been absolutely fantastic even though we have been out of our comfort zone in many ways. Now I'm looking forward to the next course, which takes place on the outdoor course and with a somewhat more violent 9mm.
